Aeromagnetic Map of Northeastern California

Abstract

First posted August 22, 2023 For additional information, contact: Geology, Minerals, Energy, & Geophysics Science CenterU.S. Geological SurveyBuilding 19, 350 N. Akron Rd.P.O. Box 158Moffett Field, CA 94035 Aeromagnetic surveys were conducted to improve understanding of the geology and structure in northeastern California, a region predominantly covered by Quaternary and Tertiary, mainly Neogene, volcanic rocks including Medicine Lake volcano. New aeromagnetic data are a substantial improvement over existing data and reveal structural details not resolved by older surveys. Here we show how these data (1) do not support the presence of a northwest-striking structural feature across the Modoc Plateau, (2) reveal a northeast-striking fault-bounded block of predominantly reversely magnetized material that may influence tectonism at Medicine Lake volcano, and (3) constrain possible right-lateral offsets along the Likely Fault Zone and other faults that traverse the region. The data also highlight possible extensions of mapped faults, such as those in Fall River Valley and the Tule and Lower Klamath Lake areas.